Home remedies for bed bugs

But which home remedies for bed bugs actually work? And what can you do to help stop them from spreading? Read on to find out!

Ultrasonic devices

Like with most DIY solutions for pests, there has been a lot of discussion around using ultrasonic devices in order to repel bed bugs.

Method:

The idea behind this home remedy for bed bugs is to use ultrasonic devices, typically those that you plug into the wall. The high frequencies of the sound waves emitted from the device are believed to be uncomfortable for bed bugs, forcing them to leave the area.

Myth or Fact:

Myth
Like with most theories of using ultrasonic devices as home remedies for pests, these devices have no effect on bed bugs whatsoever. Michael F.Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, explains that ultrasonic devices have never proven themselves to be effective control tools. If anything, I would expect the bugs to utilize them as a haven since they often emit small amounts of heat (Mann, D).

Baking soda

When discussing home remedies for bed bugs, baking soda is often a popular option. But can baking soda kill bed bugs?

Method:

The method around this popular DIY bed bug treatment is to sprinkle baking soda around the areas which bed bugs typically inhabit such as the mattress and the area around your bed. After a few days, you’re supposed to vacuum it up and repeat the process.

Baking soda is believed to get rid of bed bugs by absorbing the surface fluids on the waxy layer of a bed bug’s shell and cause them to dehydrate. It is also thought that the small granules of baking soda can cut into a bed bugs shell and cause internal bleeding.

Myth or Fact:

Myth
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that baking soda is a successful home remedy for bed bugs. Baking soda actually breaks down when it comes into contact with water, so the idea that it can absorb the thick fluids found on a bed bug shell is quite questionable. Although it may seem to work in some instances it is not a guaranteed fix to fully remove a bed bug infestation from a property.

Moth balls

Like with ultrasonic devices, moth balls are often regarded as a good DIY pest control option for multiple pests including bed bugs.

Method:

For this bed bug home remedy, it is suggested that you place a handful of mothballs around the common bed bug hot spots such as underneath your bed, sofa and other furniture. The theory behind this method is that the chemicals used in mothballs have quite a pungent smell, something bed bugs donâ€™t like. Because of this, it is believed that the smell of mothballs naturally repels bed bugs.

Myth or Fact:

Myth
Studies have been conducted to test the effectiveness of mothballs as a home remedy for bed bugs. Changlu Wang and his research team at Rutgers University in New Jersey tested the effectiveness of this DIY bed bug treatment option. The results showed that the mothballs failed to wipe out bed bugs after 7 days. Although between 44-60% of the adult bed bugs died, the eggs and bed bug nymphs still survived (Milius S).

Wash bedding

Beds are often the main area of your home that becomes infested with bed bugs. Because of this, it is believed that washing your bedding is an effective DIY bed bug treatment.

Method:

Strip the bedding from your bed and place in a black bin liner and transfer them to the washing machine. Wash the bedding on a high heat of at least 60 °C ideally for 90 minutes.

The theory behind this home remedy for bed bugs is based on the impact of heat. Bed bugs aren’t too fond of high temperatures, you could argue that it’s their worst enemy. The high temperature of the washing machine helps kill bed bugs – adults, nymphs, and eggs.

Myth or Fact:

However, it is important to note that although washing your bedding is a good home remedy for bed bugs it is not a 100% guaranteed fix. Yes, it can reduce the amount of bed bugs in your home but it won’t fully remove them.

Talcum powder

Talcum powder is a popular home remedy for bed bugs, but how effective is it?

Method:

There are two methods for using talcum powder to get rid of bed bugs. They are:

Sprinkle talcum powder around the bed bug hotspots such as underneath bedroom furniture. Similar to baking soda, it is believed that talcum powder will get rid of bed bugs by causing them to dehydrate.

Create a trap by putting some talcum powder in a bowl and placing them underneath your bed. Bed bugs will be able to get into the bowl but the talcum powder will make it too slippery for them to get out.

Myth or Fact:

Myth
Like with baking powder, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea of talcum powder getting rid of bed bugs by causing them to dehydrate. This is because the powder is not sharp enough to penetrate a bed bug’s exoskeleton. However, using talcum powder as part of a bed bug trap does have some success, but it does not fully eradicate a bed bug problem.

Rubbing alcohol

The use of rubbing alcohol is among the most popular home remedies for bed bugs as it is believed to both kill and repel these biting insects.

Method:

Purchase a bottle of rubbing alcohol from your local pharmacy and pour the contents into a spray bottle. Apply the solution to the common bed bug hot spots such as underneath furniture and on your bed frame.

Myth or Fact:

Myth
It all depends on the alcohol percentage. Another study conducted by Changlu Wang and his research team at Rutgers University showed that after being sprayed with rubbing alcohol, half the of the bed bugs still survived after four days (Milius S).

However, it is believed that an alcohol percentage of 90% or above will effectively kill bed bugs. But this concentration of alcohol can have a negative impact on your health, whilst also causing a major fire hazard, and is NOT advised.

Freezing

Just like heat, bed bugs aren’t too fond of the cold either, that’s why freezing is often another DIY treatment option.

Method:

Place infested items such as pillows and duvets into your freezer for a minimum of 10 hours. For this bed bug home remedy to be successful the temperature of the freezer needs to be at least -170 °C.

Myth or Fact:

Fact
Freezing infested items is an effective home remedy for bed bugs. However, like with most home remedies, it is not a foolproof solution to fully remove bed bugs from your home.

But it is an effective way to help reduce the number of bed bugs in your home, and to remove them from infested items.

Tea tree oil

Method:

For this DIY bed bug treatment, it is recommended that you dilute around 20 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle filled with water and apply the solution to the common bed bug hot spots.

This home remedy for bed bugs is believed to work as the tea tree oil soaks into a bed bug’s exoskeleton, leading to suffocation.

Myth or Fact:

Myth
This bed bug home remedy is only partly effective it is sprayed directly onto the insect, and thus will not fully solve a bed bug problem. Furthermore, it is argued that only undiluted tea tree oil will work, which is something that can be harmful to humans, and is NOT advised.

Vacuuming

Due to its simplicity, vacuuming if often regarded as a successful home remedy for bed bugs.

Method:

Vacuum your home thoroughly. Pay close attention to the bed bug hot spots such as underneath furniture and between wall joints. Use the attachments to get into the hard-to-reach areas as well as along the seams of your mattress, cushions, and pillows. Once finished, empty the contents of the vacuum in an outside bin.

Myth or Fact:

Fact
Vacuuming is an effective DIY bed bug treatment. Unlike other home remedies, this process can help remove both adult bed bugs and nymphs as well as the eggs. It is important to remember to empty the vacuum in an outside bin to help reduce the possibility of them returning. However, it is worth noting, that like most DIY pest control solutions, vacuuming will not fully eradicate bed bugs from your home, but it can help reduce the numbers.

Dryer sheets

Like with mosquitoes and gnats, dryer sheets are also believed to be an effective home remedy for bed bugs.

Method:

Place scented dryer sheets underneath your mattress, in cupboards and drawers, underneath sofa cushions and any other areas you might expect bed bugs. The idea behind the success of this DIY bed bug treatment is the scent of the dryer sheets repels bed bugs.

Myth or Fact:

Myth
There is no scientific evidence to support the success of dryer sheets repelling bed bugs. Even if the scent of the dryer sheets does repulse bed bugs, they will often find a way around them to get to their food source.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a popular home remedy for multiple pests, and bed bugs are no exception.

Method:

Apply a fine amount of diatomaceous earth along the seams of your mattress, bed frames, and furniture. This home remedy for bed bugs is believed to work by causing the bed bugs to die of dehydration.

Myth or Fact:

Fact
Diatomaceous earth can be an effective DIY bed bug treatment. However, there are a couple of elements which lead to its success.

It has been suggested that the amount of diatomaceous earth applied affects how well this home remedy for bed bugs work. Too much and the bed bugs will simply navigate around it, and it can also be bad for your health if inhaled.

Pest Control Technology ran a study to show the effectiveness of Diatomaceous earth to get rid of bed bugs. Although the results showed that as a stand alone treatment itâ€™s not a foolproof solution. The most effective way to use diatomaceous earth to get rid of bed bugs is alongside other bed bug control options.

Jack Lyons

I joined the Marketing and Innovation team at Rentokil in 2015, and my mind has quickly become accustomed to the weird and wonderful world of pests. Outside of work my main hobby is music, being a huge fan of bands such as Queen and Led Zeppelin as well as being an avid drummer.

The bedbugs do not navigate around Diatomaceous Earth, they are clueless and will walk right through it. They have no defense for Diatomaceous Earth it is mechanical wich means it destroys they just by touch them, no chemical. I tears them apart. They cannot smell it or sense it they simply walk right into it that is why it works so well.

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